Chargers step up drive for D-League semis

The Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines - Keith Jensen put on a double-double job as Big Chill held off Boracay Rum, 72-66, to firm up its bid for an outright semifinal berth in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup at the San Juan gym yesterday.

Jensen came away with 17 points and hauled down 15 rebounds to power the Super Chargers to their second straight win and fifth overall against two defeats for solo second behind unbeaten NLEX Warriors.

The Gems drew big games from Vic Manuel and Lester Alvarez to trash the Steelmakers in a game marred by eight technical fouls.

Reigning MVP Vic Manuel scored 23 points and had 12 rebounds while Lester Alvarez added 23 for the Gems, who raced to double-digit leads in the second quarter then sustained their pace in the second half to dominate the Steel Masters.

Cebuana Lhuillier made 37 of 79 shots from the field for a 46.8 percent norm.

Ricky Acidre hit 16 points for Pacific Pipes,which fell to 4-3.

The Super Chargers broke away from a tight first half contest with a big 21-12 run in the third as Jensen hit eight points while dishing out three assists and coming up with three steals.

“I’ve been telling the boys that I want the No. 2 spot. I’m happy they are responding well,” said Big Chill coach Robert Sison.

“The second half is Big Chill’s half. We really played aggressively and stepped up,” he added.

Alex Mallari also finished with 17 points for Big Chill, which also drew 11 points from Mac Montilla and 10 markers from Raffy Reyes.

Boracay Rum slid to 2-4.

The Waves took a 39-38 lead on a basket by Toto Bandaying at the onset of the third quarter. But the Super Chargers stormed back with an 18-6 spurt for a 56-45 lead going into the final period.

Bandaying wound up with 14 points for the Waves, who missed seven of 22 free throw attempts and committed 21 turnovers.